Gwent

Gwent was originally the name of a medieval kingdom or principality of South Wales, UK, roughly equivalent to the county of Monmouthshire. Its name literally means 'place', or 'the place'.

During the local government reorganisation exercise of 1974, the name Gwent was given to one of the eight new counties of Wales, referring to the area formerly known as Monmouthshire. Further administrative reorganisation has occurred since, where Gwent was split into various unitary authorities. Gwent County Council no longer exists, but the name survives in various titles, e.g., Gwent Police, Royal Gwent Hospital, Gwent Theatre.

The new unitary authorities include:

• Abertillery
• Blaenau Gwent
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Monmouthshire
• Newport
• Torfaen
• Caerphilly

See http://www.xkeys.freeserve.co.uk/gwent.htm for more info.